A lone bird twittered through the air, skimming the ground briefly before soaring high into the dusky sky. Kojiro Hyuga forgot his brooding for a moment and watched it go, his eyes gazing blankly at the tiny speck as it shrank smaller and smaller into the horizon. Then it was gone, and the world was plunged into silence once again.

He shook his head in an attempt to clear it of the fog that had accumulated there since he stormed off the Japan Youth team’s practice field an hour ago. He had no idea where he was going, but he’d stop wherever he damn well pleased.

Hyuga, with his shoulders hunched up somewhere around his ears, resumed his trek down the lonely streets of London dribbling a soccer ball. The site for the newly sponsored Trans-Continental Soccer Tournament was a city of his vague acquaintance. He, with his teammates from Toho, hadn’t explored much more than the area he was traversing; they had only been there for three days and--well, he was sure he wouldn’t get lost. Half sure. This was his first time alone in London, but he felt perfectly comfortable.

“They’re going to hell,” he muttered under his breath. “All those vapid little weaklings. If there’s any justice left in this world, I’ll see them all to hell!”

His hand instinctively moved to his jacket pocket. He still had a little change--enough for a very small but very real fix. He suspected that if his mood did not improve greatly within the next forty-five minutes, he would have to do something drastic. What was done was done, and he couldn’t take back the things he said. He had, after all, left while the wounded looks were just beginning to settle in, before he could do further damage. What more could he do? He desperately needed something to lift his spirits. Maybe then he wouldn’t feel like a shard of glass on the pavement, rolling over and over with under the feet of each passerby and waiting to be crunched into dust.

The city was dead. The final hints of orange were oozing out of the sunset. Was it really that late? He had gone out in pitch blackness for the past two nights, always down the same street, to the same place, and it was bustled with activity. Maybe it was too early. Soccer practice wouldn’t be over for another half hour, and it was quite possible that the street just seemed to be crowded when they were let out. The teams had their run of the city after dark.

“Damn!” Hyuga clenched his hands into fists. He was angry, he had a right to be angry-- to hell with the shame! He wouldn’t tolerate this foolishness so close to a game, when his mind should be on performing at his optimal level, honing his skills and destroying his opponents. Who needed friends?!

He sighed deeply, slowing to a halt a few yards away from the curb. Just around the corner was the Mocha Robin, a coffee shop he and his teammates went in a few times after their nightly practice. He doubted they’d be buying tonight, but he didn’t want to run the risk of encountering them. He didn’t want to see anybody.

Who cares if I don’t come back? Hyuga stood immobile for a long time, pensive. It doesn’t matter what I do. I’m not their captain anymore. He took a step into the street and turned his face to the sky. The stars were starting to spring into the darkness, and his eyes smarted at the sight. So I’ll leave. Leave these people behind, and find another team to play for. Soccer is soccer--it doesn’t matter where it’s played or who it’s played with...

A rustling sound broke his reverie, followed by a series of metallic clangs. Hyuga, his eyes darting to the corner alley, let out a battle cry and heaved his best Tiger Shoot into the cluster of trash cans lined up against the wall. “Kuraeeeeeeeeee!”

A crash and a yowl confirmed his victim. A stray dog scampered away, scattering garbage everywhere.

“Kono yarou...” Hyuga laughed ruefully and smacked himself in the forehead. “Who do you think you’re dealing with?”

He surveyed his surroundings, numb to all but the thumping of his heart against his chest. From where he stood, he could see the neon sign of the Mocha Robin urging him forward--common sense be damned, he was thirsty, and he was going in. Hyuga gingerly retrieved his soccer ball from the pile of refuse and headed towards the shop with it cradled in his arms like a newborn child.

He set the ball on the ground outside the door and peered into the plate glass window. It was a slow night, but there were still enough people to conceal him. Taking a deep breath, he flung open the door and tapped the ball inside with the toe of his shoe. A crash resounded. Hyuga flushed deeply under the patrons’ stares and picked up the Welcome sign, cursing. After the third try, it seemed secure, but he dashed off to the table farthest from the entrance to ward off any more responsibility. A minute later, it was still hanging. Hyuga turned to the dumbstruck teenager at the counter with an expression that clearly said “What are you looking at?!”

He slouched down in his seat, his face still hot from humiliation. “So I’ve never been here alone,” he mumbled to the ball in the chair opposite him. “Is it a crime to travel solo? I’m a real man--I don’t need those sissy lackeys.”

The ball didn’t respond.

Hyuga made a frustrated sound and sprang up from his seat with a force that made the other customers jump. “Aren’t there any smaller tables in this place?!” he snarled. “What is this, a banquet hall?! How am I supposed to think with all these chairs crowding me?!”

The boy at the counter smiled nervously. “Well...sir...we could always move them...”

“Forget it,” Hyuga snapped, dragging two closer to use as a footrest. “I’ll have a Coke Classic...please.”

“Ha..hai..!!” the boy stammered before scampering away.

Hyuga took a few deep breaths as his pulse slowly returned to normal. What the hell is wrong with me? he thought, burying his face in his hands. I need to get a grip. I just can’t feel comfortable in a place that reminds me of him.

“Here you go, sir,” a feeble voice came from behind. The waiter set the Coke bottle in the center of the table. Hyuga mumbled his thanks and reached inside his pocket , removing a shot glass with a picture of Hello Kitty painted on it, a present from his sister after her latest school trip. If she only knew what her oniichan was using it for...

Hyuga poured himself a generous gulp of the caramel-colored liquid and felt it slide down his throat. He was ready to relax. It was going to be a very long night.